Neill Blomkamp’s OATS studio break into the feature film market with Flight of the Navigator remake

Flight of the Navigator remake anyone? Turns out, the District 9 and Chappie director Neill Blomkamp’s very own studio will be taking on the task to remake the 1986 classic.

In a tweet, which seems to have gone over the heads of most people in the thread, Blomkamp teased an image that his OATS Studio will be following up on their series of short films but posted an image hinting at their first feature.

So for clarity on @oatsstudios shorts, people are asking for part 2's of certain films, – the first follow up short will be for ADAM, coming soonish. The first proper feature film will be …..

The original Flight of the Navigator, directed by Randal Kleiser, starred Joey Cramer as a 12-year-old boy who falls into a ravine and is knocked unconscious when walking through the woods in 1978. He regains consciousness in 1986 without having aged and with no memories of the past eight years. He eventually discovers that he was abducted by an alien spaceship.

Veronica Cartwright and Sarah Jessica Parker also starred in the film, while Paul Reubens voiced the flying saucer’s pilot. The film’s producers initially sent the project to Walt Disney Pictures in 1984, but the studio was unable to approve it and it was sent to Producers Sales Organization, which made a deal with Disney to distribute it in the United States.

Brad Copeland (“Arrested Development”) was originally hired by Disney to write the first draft of the remake in 2009. In 2012, Disney hired Colin Trevorrow and Derek Connolly to write the script for the project as a potential directing vehicle for Trevorrow who eventually dropped the remake to helm Jurassic World.

Lionsgate and The Henson Company are developing the remake with Lucifer showrunner, Joe Henderson, penning the script. A director hasn’t been named as yet but Blomkamp could very well take up that coveted spot.

Features and News Writer at HeyUGuys, Once failed wannabe actress, Ex-music industry veteran who once dabbled in Artist Management, and now Film Journalist extraordinaire (for the past 6 years). My love for the arts has seen my fingers in many pies but my love of Film won the battle. Other current work credits include, Film Editor at Flavourmag and Critic/Interviewer at DIY, previous work credits contributor at The Voice Newspaper, film review slot on radio, presented film awards.